Science Communication

Okay, so I know I’m relatively new to the blogging world, but already I find myself loving it and continuously want to post and post and post…

Although I think it is a great way communicate ideas, opinions and funny facts, or just simply have a nosey at what everyone else is up to, I have been left thinking… is it a good or a bad distraction? For instance, I am currently meant to be starting a literature review for my PhD, however all I want to do is blog and write summary articles relating to current science news. At least the latter may actually help! 🙂

Let me backtrack a little so you’re up to date – I recently started writing articles for my old University newspaper, where I actually got a few articles published (shocked?! Me too!). They were only small articles, for example I did one on the development of breathalysers to detect Parkinson’s disease, but having them published is such a sense of achievement. This is a similar feeling I get when I post a new blog. It’s so great to see the views tallying up and having people I’ve never met before like my blog, or better yet, re-blog it! Knowing that people are reading my work and may like it or want to read more makes me feel proud and helps to boost my confidence – which is never a bad thing, despite what most people think!

So back to the requirements of my PhD… I have a deadline for Janurary, which may seem quite far away for now, but I am doing a PhD and that means I always have a lot going on. Nevertheless, it needs to be done and it is still important. But all I want to do right now is write about new science-related topics and make sure everyone knows about them. Being a newbie ‘SciCommer’ I am very much getting involved in wanting all audiences to understand about the science world and what kind of research is going on out there that could potentially help them one day. Or just attract their interest.

Even though blogging and writing articles is distracting me from my university work, is it really a bad thing?! I think not. Okay yes, I’m probably not spending as much time as I should be on my written projects, but I am fitting my writing around my lab work. This shows organisational and multi-tasking skills – great aspects to include on my CV. It also helps me to engage more with the news, keeping up to date with what is going on across the globe, a job I used to find quite difficult. What’s even better is that I am learning about all types of science, not just my own area of interest. I think this is imperative, as most jobs require a broad knowledge base and not just a specific understanding of a subject. Additionally, this allows me to develop and grow my intellect, adding to my scientific expertise. And last but not least, I am beginning to network and interact with fellow scientists, scientific communicators, students and lecturers, growing discussions and sharing ideas and opinions. I now find myself being more acquainted with different subjects in greater detail, enabling me to discuss these topics with co-workers, colleagues and lecturers, when previously I was nervous to do so as I felt inexperienced and that I lacked specific familiarity. I am also writing for my own selfish desires: because I enjoy it!And that can’t be a bad thing, surely?!

Credit: funny-joke-pictures.com

So taking all this into account, I think writing in an informal and ‘chatty’ manner, in contrast to the strict and awkward way in which we have to write to gain attention within University and the science world, is surprisingly helping my career in many ways. And even if it is classed as ‘procrastination’ in some people’s eyes, I believe it is good procrastination – disagree with me if you must!

In my first year I said yes to everything. I began my PhD with the attitude that I would say yes to as many opportunities as I could, even if those opportunities scared me. Without knowing for sure what I want to do at the end of my PhD I felt (and was repeatedly told by the internet) that I had to acquire every skill, for every possible job, before I finished. Ok internet, challenge accepted. I got a position as a post-grad blogger for my University and eventually added my own personal blog to the mix. I maintained (and still do) my status as a Registered Scientist with the Royal Society of Biology, completing a minimum of 50 continuing professional development (CPD) points per year. I’ve attended and presented at conferences. I put myself forward as the PhD representative for my department’s Athena Swan working group. I became (and still am) a PhD tutor with the Brilliant Club. I demonstrate on several different undergraduate units within my department. I agreed to speak to the new intake of PhD students and share my experiences of PhD life so far. I take part in open days, doing outreach work both within the University and by going into schools. I made myself known as someone who’s willing to do these things, and as a result more of these opportunities came my way. I acquired a lot of very useful skills for my CV, the most important of these to me was the development of my writing and public speaking skills. Science communication is something I love and hope to pursue one day.

People started to ask how I managed to fit it all in, I don’t know I just made it work, and I enjoyed (and still enjoy) all the things I do. I’m not one of the magical people you see who seem to juggle everything beautifully, although thinking about it probably looks to other people like I have it all together. You might even think I am one of those people, and that just shows you that no one has it more together than you, you just think they do…

Credit: ErrantScience.com

Earlier this year everything happened at the same time. My boyfriend and I bought our first house :), he had a knee operation :(, I was demonstrating for undergraduates and teaching two different Brilliant Club courses to two different age groups (they were short of a tutor and I stepped in to teach a maths course). I had to work a lot of Saturdays to keep up my lab work, and also had extra things to do at home as my boyfriend was on crutches. I kept going, and I managed to get it all done, but I decided then that I couldn’t keep saying yes to everything. My PhD and my work/life balance were suffering. Luckily with the summer coming up, everything naturally calmed down and I had a little room to re-group. Towards the end of the summer, as things began to pick back up, it was time to try saying no. I had a busy month in September with a conference, a presentation to give and I was also an invited speaker at an event as the result of my personal blog. The Brilliant Club didn’t have a Leicester (where I attend University) based school for me so I accepted a demonstrating opportunity with the University instead, but then a tutor dropped out. My first no was going to have to be to the Brilliant Club :(. It wasn’t easy, but I was professional and polite. My programme officer was understanding and appreciated the alternative offer I put forward of working with this school next term if no other tutor could be found. Basically I said no and they got it, they understood, and they didn’t chuck me out :).

Over the summer I was also asked by Devon and Stewart if I wanted to be a sub-admin on the BioSci PhD forum, I’d said I was interested earlier in the year but didn’t get round to applying before the deadline. I was flattered to be asked when a position came up and took some time to think it over. The chance to be involved with the forum was something I really wanted, but I also only wanted to do it well. It wasn’t something I wanted to half-arse. After talking it through with my boyfriend, we decided together that if I was going to do this something else would have to go. This was the start of my current “one-in, one-out” policy. Now, if I’m thinking about taking on something new, I assess it in the context of what I’m already doing. I said no to be a sub-admin, and Devon and Stewart couldn’t have been nicer about it. Instead they asked if I’d like to blog for them. This was a commitment I could fit in with what I already do, and here I am blogging away :). Saying no didn’t close a door for me, instead it opened the one next to it, the one that fit best with all my other open doors. Once again my decision to say no was respected and appreciated, and it lead to an opportunity I didn’t even know was out there.

Now I’ve learnt to say no without feeling (as) guilty, I have a better balance. At first I worried I was throwing away a lot of the hard work I’d put in early on, but experience has shown me that the relationships I’ve already built will, and do, continue to provide me with the chance to develop all the skills I hope to. If chances come your way I’d encourage you to take them, don’t say no just because you’re scared but please don’t feel guilty about turning some things down, it might even lead to something better.

As a PhD who is enthusiastic about public engagement, I decided to get involved with a project called Soapbox Science. The initiative: a group of environmental scientists braving the elements in Manchester to present our research.

Soapbox science is a public outreach enterprise which encourages female scientists to engage with the general community through explaining their research while wearing a lab coat and standing on a box! The initiative focusses on female scientists, providing a platform (quite literally) to promote scientific research and explain why they love it. The events run by soapbox science turn public areas, including the Southbank in London and areas in Newcastle, Exeter and Manchester, into a stage for interactivity and learning through science. All the events involve scientists volunteering their time to educate the general public on their research area. Each of the events have specific themes geared towards different sciences. As my research focuses on soil contamination and how biochar (charcoal) can remediate contaminated land, I spoke at the environmental sciences event.

A fellow University of Nottingham PhD student and I arrived in Manchester and the nerves really set in. Upon meeting everyone we calmed down somewhat, after all, we would only be stood on a soapbox, in the centre of Manchester, wearing a lab coat and potentially struggling for words… how stupid could we possibly look? There was a great range of scientists from poo specialists (who had poo smelling activities which were fantastic!) to soil scientists researching the devastating Chernobyl disaster. The first few soapboxers had a strong amount of interest from a range of passersby, allowing them to explain the concepts and their research in an extremely interactive way. I nervously stood by watching the others successfully and fluidly present their work. Everyone was having a great time: the presenters, the public and the other scientists waiting to go on, everyone learning more about different aspects of environmental science.

The first two hours went by without hitch, but as the third and final hour approached (the time in which I would take to the stage) the heavens opened… and it was almighty… just my luck. The rain did not stop us in our mission to present our research, as every scientists secretly think our research is the most important, despite our interest in other research areas. Some scientists may contend this but, to concentrate on such a niche subject, you’ve got to think it’s a pretty hot topic. Ignoring the rain, the whole team pulled together to ensure the final research topics were presented. A friend of mine came to my aid providing me shelter of an umbrella, while I tried to enthuse drenched people with biochar. The fascinating ancient agricultural nature of biochar and the many impacts on climate change, soil fertility, plant yield and remedial properties meant I managed to sell it fairly well and gathered a bit of interest. I have to admit, it did take me time to get into the swing of it, and the rain meant less passersby, so I was caught a bit off guard when someone was interested. Despite this, I had a great time and spoke to some people who seemed extremely interested in my work making me feel like I had an impact!

As the final hour drew to a close, the soggy scientists headed for a coffee to discuss the events of the day. The atmosphere around the coffee table was extremely positive. Despite the squelching feet we all had a great day, met some interesting people and felt we made an impact on how the public view scientists- success! We wanted to make it clear anyone can do science, no matter what background, and we felt like we achieved this. The day highlighted how public engagement is an extremely important aspect of science. The enjoyment I get from communicating science, coupled with how important I feel it is has, has spurred me on to get involved in other projects such as ScienceGrrl. Science engagement is extremely important in preventing the alienation of scientists from the general public. If the public understand what we do, why it’s important and why we love it, the public opinion on stuffy, mad scientists may be a thing of the past. Demolishing the current scientist stereotype can only benefit science by encouraging more inquisitive minds to wander towards the STEM subjects and potentially produce some ground-breaking research!